how do you help a child who lies constantly?

Question

My friends stepson who is almost 9 lies about everything. It is not just his imagination either. He may not have seen someone for weeks and he suddenly will mention a conversation they had about a subject that my daughter and I were just discussing ( even an incident that took place on a soap opera). He's an A B student but always in trouble in school. I don't know if he might be adhd or bi-polar. He is very sensitive and cries easily and wants to know how come no one believes him. When told that he just told a lie he swears he didn't. Has anyone else had this problem? I would really like to know how to help this child. I've kept him for most of the summer since I live in the country and he can freely run and play here. His dad and stepmom have been married for nearly a year but he has lived with them for over 2 years and has always behaved this way according to his dad.

Answer 1

well, he could have some compulsive lying disorder, but since he's only 9, he probably just wants some attention. Lemme guess, he doesn't have alot of friends and his parents dont pay alot of attention to him right? trust me, just pay attention to him and just answer to his lies with even a simple "mmhmm" or "really?" and watch him change his ways

Answer 2

You can help him by giving him positive attention and reinforcement. Children lie or make up stories to receive attention or feel better about themselves or their current life situations. Because he cries easily and seems very sensitive, I would guess that his self-confidence and esteem level is low. A lot of change has occurred in his life (parents remarrying, spending time away from them) and he is struggling. My advice is when he lies or makes up a story, engage him in conversation about things that have really happened or his favorite hobbies. If he begins to lie again, redirect him towards a true story or change the subject. Praise him for things he does well. He seems like he needs a lot of love and friends to hear him out.

Answer 3

It sounds like he needs a professional psychologist to speak with him in order to give his mom and dad a proper diagnosis. He could have some form of a delusional issue which would be extremely serious. i'm no psychologist so don't take that as a diagnosis or anything. Just get that kid some help.

Answer 4

you may make certain he will discover out what takes place while he lies. start up a communique with somebody else on the dinner table, enable's say. Use strains like, "i became into with a co-worker at present on the workplace, and he or she all started mendacity to our boss correct to the errors she made in her paintings. And my boss became into so mad, he fired her!" or different issues like that. you additionally can start up removing his priveleges. supply him a seperate account on the pc with a parental administration, in user-friendly terms allowing toddler's web content and what no longer. If he lies approximately brushing his the teeth or ending his dinner or something, watch him brush his the teeth for 3 minutes and watch him devour dinner. as quickly as he starts studying to no longer lie because of the fact he's getting annoyed via all of this, he will start to tell the reality greater, and you may start up trusting him greater and giving decrease back the priveleges. reliable luck!

Answer 5

Suggest that his parents have him see by a doctor. Maybe give them a list of child psychiatrists in your area. Frankly I'm going to bet he is simply the typical product of a broken home and dealing with the overwhelming feelings of loss of control, anger, and great sadness.

Answer 6

Just don't believe anything she says any more until you get the facts right...and question her about what she tells you..

Answer 7

He needs counseling and he will only get worse if something isn't done soon.

Answer 8

yeah He needs counseling